When was the First World War started? This pivotal event in human history marked the beginning of one of the most devastating conflicts the world has ever seen. The First World War, also known as the Great War, began on July 28, 1914, following a series of complex political and social tensions that had been brewing for years.
The immediate trigger for the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, on June 28, 1914. The assassination took place in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The assassin, Gavrilo Princip, was a Bosnian Serb nationalist, and his act was meant to provoke a rebellion against Austro-Hungarian rule.
Following the assassination, the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. This declaration was followed by a series of alliances and declarations of war among the European powers, leading to a full-scale conflict. The major alliances at the time were the Triple Entente, consisting of France, Russia, and the United Kingdom, and the Central Powers, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.
The war was characterized by intense trench warfare, particularly on the Western Front, where soldiers spent years in static positions, enduring harsh conditions and heavy casualties. The Eastern Front saw similar fighting, as well as the Russian advance into the Ottoman Empire and the German invasion of Russia. The conflict also saw the use of new technologies and weaponry, including machine guns, poison gas, and aircraft, which had a profound impact on the nature of warfare.
Throughout the war, there were numerous battles and campaigns, such as the Battle of the Marne, the Battle of Verdun, and the Battle of the Somme, which resulted in millions of casualties. The war also had a significant impact on the global economy, as it led to the depletion of resources and the rise of inflation.
The First World War finally came to an end on November 11, 1918, with the signing of the Armistice. The Treaty of Versailles, which was signed on June 28, 1919, laid out the terms of peace and imposed heavy reparations on Germany, which many historians argue contributed to the rise of the Nazi Party and the onset of the Second World War.
In conclusion, the First World War started on July 28, 1914, and it reshaped the political and social landscape of the world. The conflict’s impact was felt for decades, and its legacy continues to influence global events to this day.
